The Egyptian Sports Culture Association (ESCA), founded three years ago, has applied to join the International Sports and Culture Association (ISCA). ESCA officials have presented a high-profile file and documents to boost their case. The Egyptian application was approved by the ISCA executive board in June. However, in order for ESCA to obtain formal approval, it must get the grren light from the General Assembly which will be holding its 2014 MOVE Congress in Rome from 22 to 25 October. This year, one of Europe's oldest, most populated and most visited cities provides a fitting backdrop for the 2014 MOVE Congress and its theme, Open City – Active City. The congress is set to gather 300 stakeholders in sport and physical activity, including NGOs, local sports clubs, the sport and fitness industry, the health sector, government bodies and municipalities, corporate sector representatives, communications advisors, schools and higher education. But to become an active city, it is important not just to be an open city – it is essential. Open cities give everyone the opportunity to fit physical activity into their everyday lives: from the young to the elderly, from the able-bodied to the disabled, from the more privileged citizens to the less privileged. Everyone can benefit from more walking paths, bicycle lanes, green spaces and better access to facilities. At the 2014 congress each of the participants can be part of the discussion, debate and exchange of ideas about how cities, both big and small, can become more open and active through the following themes: Urban planning - cities without barriers; Healthy lifestyles, active cities and active schools; and Partnership and cross-sector cooperation. To set the strategic discussions and cross-sector networking into motion, the congress will be divided into plenary sessions, parallel sessions, workshops and interactive sessions with physical activities (outdoor and indoor). MOVE Congress 2014 will present both good and bad examples of urban planning through speakers who have extensive experience in sport facility management, running grassroots sport programmes, town planning, revitalising urban areas and establishing community identities. They will also share their knowledge of two key related areas: the influence of economic factors in urban sports facility planning; and environmental sustainability in sport facility management. Session objectives also include understanding the importance of urban planning in creating active cities, and capturing and sharing insights about how to go about putting ideas into action. The opening session was scheduled to take place Wednesday evening with a talk show, music, movement and networking over drinks from Italy. The venue will turn into an open air arena on the first afternoon of the congress when participants explore the city of Rome. Congress delegates will be divided into smaller groups and be taken on a guided tour along the river from the congress venue to Rome's City Hall, visiting historical sites and interactive “physical activity stations” along the way. The real work is scheduled to kick off Thursday 23 October with plenary and parallel sessions, workshops and urban orienteering in the heart of Rome. Participants will have the chance to gain insight into the importance of urban planning in creating active cities, then learn about how cites can encourage activity while navigating their way through the history-laden streets of Rome. On Friday, participants will learn how to enable absolutely one and all to participate in co-creating healthy and active cities and start planning actions and projects they can implement when they get home. The Move Congress will culminate with the General Assembly annual meetings on Saturday and the decision as to whether Egypt will be officially admitted into such an exciting, adventurous endeavour.
